Most DRC's Closed Sundays; "Help Line" Hours 

Release Date: October 7, 2004
Release Number: 1558-039

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CHARLESTON, W. Va. -- Most of the FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Centers, which have been open seven days a week, will close on Sundays, starting October 10, federal and state disaster officials announced. The new schedule affects the centers in Weirton, Wellsburg, Wheeling, Moundsville and New Martinsville in the Northern Panhandle.

Following the Sunday closings, these centers will operate Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The mobile center opening in Wayne, Wayne County, on Friday, October 8 will be open on Sunday, October 10, its last day of operation there.

The locations of the centers that will be closed Sundays are:

Additionally, FEMA announced that the hours of operation at its toll-free Help Line are being scaled back to 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, from 24 hours. The Help Line is accessed through FEMA’s 800 registration number, by choosing menu item “3”. It provides information on the status of registrations or other post-registration questions. The registration line itself is open 24 hours daily until further notice. Call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Persons who are hearing-or-speech-impaired can call TTY number, 1-800-462-7585. Individuals are encouraged to register by calling the toll-free number before visiting a DRC.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 17-Nov-2004 09:24:42